Posted by ESPN.com's Ivan Maisel
1.I don’t mind the coaches poll. The AFCA likes to see its name in print. I get it. I just mind that we have to take it seriously. Houston and Iowa win at Oklahoma State and at Penn State, respectively, yet trail the teams they beat. The coaches rate No. 19 Cal six spots ahead of Oregon. Why is Nebraska way down at No. 24? And these guys help pick the national champion. With every vote, there’s more evidence that the BCS should appoint a blue-ribbon panel to pick the teams.
2.Stanford sophomore Chris Owusu has returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown in the last two games and has three for the season. He already has tied the Pac-10 season record. Opponents are getting smart, though. Owusu has returned only six of the 12 kickoffs that the Cardinal has received. The NCAA season record, by the way, is five, set by Ashlan Davis of Tulsa in 2004.
3.Does the spread offense lead to more ball-handling players getting injured? Does playing in space lead to more high-speed collisions? I have no idea. I’m just asking. My All-Injured team could kick your All-American team’s butt. Tim Tebow, Sam Bradford and Robert Griffin III at quarterback; Michael Floyd at wideout; Jermaine Gresham and Rob Gronkowski at tight end; Thomas Weber at kicker. And that’s just some of the offense.